ASK Italian puts Preston's community first with the opening of brand-new restaurant

ASK Italian, the UK's much-loved national restaurant chain, has officially opened its doors to its latest restaurant in the £45 million council-owned Animate entertainment and leisure destination in Preston city centre.

Launching with its brand-new Spring menu, the restaurant is open for bookings from today, Monday 7 April 2025.

Seating over 160 covers - both inside and outside - ASK Italian is bringing its signature flair, Italian escapism and warm welcome. Packed with Italian inspired dishes, there's something on the menu for everyone to enjoy, and gives every reason for friends and families to get together. The Spring menu features new dishes such as Pesto & Stracciatella Tagliatelle, Tuscan Chicken Orzotto, and Caramello Chocolate Torta.

Whilst ASK Italian is a large family of restaurants, they are on a mission to put the communities they serve at the heart of its dining experience.

Preston's ASK Italian is partnered with Lancashire-based distillery Fairham Gin- founded by local duo Ellis McKeown and Liam Stemson in 2021 - to offer Fairham Signature Gin as the house gin pour and spirit of choice in a number of its signature cocktails.

Of the partnership, Ellis McKeown adds:

"To be approached and selected by a high-profile restaurant chain such as ASK Italian is something for us to celebrate. Not many companies of this size give this sort of opportunity to local producers and its refreshing to see."

ASK Italian will not only be serving the Preston community with its fresh pasta and stone-baked Prima Pizza, they will also be supporting LuvPreston as the restaurant's official charity partner. Whereby funds raised by microdonations in Preston's ASK Italian will go directly to LuvPreston to support its work.

LuvPreston founders Jack and Sue McVicar note:

"We are thrilled as a well-established local charity to partner with ASK Italian in this incredible way. We have served the hurting and disadvantaged in our city for over 20 years and when ASK Italian said they wanted to help us with our mission we were excited. We immediately picked up that they had a heart for our community and we look forward to working with them closely. Their success is our success so we wish them all the very best."

The restaurant has been decorated with a palette of warm Mediterranean colours, fun, Instagrammable neon signs and a hand-painted mural by North-West based artist Jazz Stan - reflecting the spirit and history of the Preston community with the Italian region of Lombardy.

With the opening of Preston's ASK Italian, it marks the group's 67^th restaurant across the UK. ASK Italian's Marketing Director, Corinne Prior said:

"We're beyond excited to open our doors in Preston, bringing a new taste of Italy to the area. We want to be known as everyone's favourite local restaurant, and by working with local partners such as Fairham Gin and LuvPreston, we hope to become a cherished part of the vibrant community in Preston. And we look forward to welcoming customers new and old in the years to come."

About ASK Italian

ASK Italian is a family of 67 restaurants, located in the heart of local communities across the UK. The restaurant chain takes inspiration from the Italian way of life, putting their heart and soul into the finer details so when you visit, you can relax, unwind, to feel special, to return to. They call this full-hearted Italian.

Known for everyday memorable experiences, created by people for people. ASK Italian are working together to build a better sustainability minded business with people, planet, plate at the forefront - strengthening communities and caring for the planet for generations to come.

To find out more about places to eat and drink at Preston's newest entertainment complex visit Animate - eat and drink.